James W. Linn

Of Counsel | Tallahassee

Mr. Linn’s practice focuses on governmental, public pension, labor and employment law.

Areas of Practice

Advises public employers and pension boards on federal and state laws pertaining to governmental retirement plans and works closely with local governments and pension actuaries in restructuring retirement benefit programs and preparing pension plan documents and amendments.
Represents public employers and pension boards in pension-related litigation and appeals.
Represents public and private employers (management) in labor and employment law matters, including defense of employment discrimination claims, whistle-blower and wrongful termination claims, collective bargaining and employee benefit matters.
Assisted a number of cities and special districts in joining the Florida Retirement System.
Represents local governments and professional organizations in state agency rule making and policy matters.

New Florida E-Verify Law Affects Public and Private Employers, October 2020
Moving Toward Reopening Government, LLW Lunch & Learn, June 2020
COVID-19 and Its Impact on Special Districts, LLW Virtual Lunch & Learn, April 2020
Pension Bargaining, Florida Government Finance Officers Association Annual Conference, June 2018
Police and Firefighter Pension Plans: Chapters 175/185 and Collective Bargaining, Florida City and County Managers Association webinar, March 2017
Florida Statutes Governing Police and Firefighter Pension Plans: A Historical Perspective, Florida City, County and Local Government Law Section, The Agenda Newsletter, July 2016
Retirement Legislation Overview, Florida Government Finance Officers Association Annual Conference, June 2016
FRS and Pension Developments, Florida Bar Public Employment Labor Relations Forum, October 2014
Pension Reform: Effective Strategies for Reducing City Pension Costs, August 2010
Pensions: Stop the Bleeding, May 2010

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Employment Law - Management, from 2009 to present
Martindale Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Recipient of the 2020 Paul S. Buchman Attorney of the Year Award for outstanding contributions to legal public service in the area of local government law, by the City, County and Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar
Recipient of the 2011 Ralph A. Marsicano Award for significant contributions to the development of local government law in Florida, by the City, County and Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar
The Florida Bar, City, County and Local Government Law Section, Chair, 1995-1996
Received Local Government Legal Advocacy Award, 1994
Frequent lecturer on public pension and employment topics